Off site advantages?

[pepperderr]

Is there any other advantage to staying off site other than it is cheaper? The last time we were there we stayed at a value resort so we went everywhere on the bus. We all loved the fact that we didn't have to drive or find a spot to park more than anything. The room was kinda small really. My thinking was we were only there long enough to sleep so it didn't matter. If we stay off site next time that won't matter to me there either. We ate one meal at the hotel and usually one meal and snacks at the park (never reservation for character meal or anything). One time we ordered out and they delivered it to the hotel lobby. So based on our situation, is there any reason besides price to stay off site next time?

 

[cbg1027]

I don't see any advantages other than price. I prefer to stay on site, but my thinking is better to get some Disney than none at all!

When pricing any off site hotel, remember to add $14 a day to the price when comparing to a Disney resort since that's what Disney charges for you to park at the theme parks! When you stay on site you don't pay for parking.

If you happen to have AP's you don't have to pay for parking at Disney if you stay off site.

If you don't have a car, staying on site makes much more sense.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you are flying into Orlando, it is very hard to beat the bottom-line all-in price of a Value resort. Rental car prices right now are a little high, but figure $250 for a week for the car, gas, etc. plus $14/day for parking. So, that works out to about an extra $50/day. Chances are good that any place offsite that's cheap enough that the extra $50 still keeps you under a Value isn't a particularly nice place to stay. If you drive, then the equation changes a little bit, but you also have to be willing to drive yourself to the parks. I happen to prefer that---I always rent a car even when I'm onsite---but not everyone does.

Instead, I think of an offsite stay as a way to spend a *little* more than a Value resort with no rental car would cost, but to get a *lot* more in return. For example, for something between the price of a Value and a Moderate you can rent a car, pay for parking, and have a place that has separate bedrooms for parents and kids; where the kids get their own beds rather than have to share; with a living room that early risers or night owls can enjoy while everyone else has peace and quiet; a full kitchen for snacks, breakfast, and the occasional meal; a washer and dryer in the unit so that you can pack lightly; and maybe even a private pool and/or hot tub. These places can be close enough to property that your total door-to-turnstile time to anywhere but MK is as short as (or sometimes shorter than) taking buses around WDW property. (And, after my last stay at OKW when I had *two* bus trips to MK that took more than an hour, I'm willing to say that MK isn't much longer on average, either.)

You can get these sorts of amenities on property, too---in a 2BR DVC Villa. But, that's really big bucks, even if you're renting from a member at a good price. Some people find that money well-spent. Others don't.

A lot of people say that they don't spend any time in the room. I suspect that's partly because most hotel rooms are not a particularly nice place to be unless you're sleeping. Villas/condos/townhomes/pool homes are a wonderful place to spend your downtime away from the parks, either DVC or offsite, and we would never visit WDW with the kids any other way. If it were just the two of us, then *maybe* we could do "just a hotel room", but even when we went without the kids, we stayed in a 1BR at OKW, and really enjoyed the extra space and amenities.

 

[Befferk]

The space is priceless. And the price is WAY cheaper if you are traveling with enough people that you would normally need 2 hotel rooms, such as our case for our upcoming trip. Our party includes me, DH, DS, my parents, and my adult niece.

The other advantage is that it encourages you to see more of Orlando/Florida than just Disney. While WDW is so magical, now that I've traveled so much more outside of there, it is a whole separate experience in itself. We've been to Daytona, Clearwater, even all the way down to the Keys, and everywhere inbetween. There is so much more to experience out there.

 

[reservations4five]

Advantages-

Full kitchen to make meals in.
2BD/2BA with a spa tub in the master plus a door for some privacy
a screened in patio to relax with our am coffee, or pm tea.
bigger selection of resturants to choose from
shopping in the outlets
having a walmart or other box store near by so if I forget something or need something it is no big deal
10 minutes from Disney - we always drive, so the bus nightmare doesn't affect us either way.

total plus parking with getravelop = $457 (Sunday-Sunday)
tickets for 5 from undercover tourist = 1087.75

Disadvantages- maybe the loss of an EMH PM at MK I would miss. But generally we are too tired to stay.

 

[pepperderr]

You all have very good points. That is why I asked, there are things about it that I am sure I don't know that others will. The last time we went to Disney, we drove from PA. It was a long trip but my kids are great in the van and really did enjoy it...especially the part where they got to wear PJ's in the van at night.

So we did have the van to go sight see if we wanted. All we did though was go to Sea World since it was free for military. When we go there we stopped at one of the welcome centers to look for other activities. There was some kind of helicoptor ride thing we considered because DH is a flight medic in the military so I thought it would be cool for the boys to get the same experience he does when he flies. Onces we rode Soarin there was no need for a helicoptor ride That was our favorite ride we went on like 3 or 4 times.

Next time we go we might just have to stay an extra day or 2 just to sight see. There was some kind of hotel that had a huge rock water slide in a pool. I don't know the name of it but if we were just staying a few days to sight see, that might be were we end up going. Our last trip was our first so we were not knowing what to expect. Next time we will be more prepared I hope.

I forgot all about the parking fees too. I am glad you mentioned that. We didn't do EMH last time either even though we were onsite so that is one thing we would not have to stay onsite just to get.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Befferk]

Be sure to try some offsite restaurants. One of my favs is Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ

We also have to get to at least one beach on each trip. This time we will be doing more of that because we are going back to the Keys . Also, this time we're going to try an airboat ride: http://www.spiritoftheswamp.com/ - very much looking forward to that

 

[HeatherC]

I also think that it depends on how long you are going for. We usually go for at least 10 days (Feb. vacation) and are a family of 5. So to stay crammed in one room for that amount of time is no vacation.

Also...because we have gone so many times, we don't need to be at Disney the whole time and enjoy exploring other parts of Orlando. We love SeaWorld, KSC, Outlet shopping, the beach, etc..

One other thing I wanted to mention is that because we save so much money staying offsite, we can stay longer which we enjoy.
I think it depends on personal preferences really.

Whatever you decide. Have an awesome time!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Space-you can't beat having your own pool, bedrooms, bathrooms, livingroom, kitchen...

Transport-I saw this as a plus on our trip only b/c it took WAY less (15 minutes TOPS) to get to the parks. No waiting for buses or standing. We had a diamond parking pass and I love it (it's what I will miss most when onsite this next trip!) The downfall to this was when our teenage sons wanted to leave mid-day and we had to drive them back to the house! Still, it didn't take THAT long, but I'm looking forward to just telling them to hop a bus back to the resort on our next trip.

Food savings-IF you are wanting to eat cheaper, make some of your own meals, etc. you will save a lot having a kitchen. We are looking forward to eating onsite this trip, but there are pros and cons to both.

and...it's quieter, imo. I am not a pusher for onsite or offsite, I think they both have pros and cons to them and it will depend on your family and what is most important to you!

We had a GREAT house on our offsite trip, backed up to a lake, had a pool and it was much cheaper with 8 people. You can see some pics and I talk about it a little in my TR in my signature if you are interested.

 

[pepperderr]

Sounds nice twoboysnmygirl. How does the diamond pass work? Do you really get up close when parking? I know when we were done at the park the last thing we wanted to do was wonder around the parking lot looking for our van.

We took 2 coolers last time since we were traveling in the van and would want drinks and sandwiches and stuff. We did take cereal and milk and stuff like that so we didn't have to wait in line to eat at the resturants. We ate breakfast at the resort (pop century) one time I think on our "relaxing" day. As I said before, it was our first time, so we really didn't know what to expect. The food court really scared me when I first saw it and was glad to skip it every day for breakfast but we had a lot of lunches or dinner there and it really wasn't bad at all. Thanks for the info.

 

[swilshire]

Space is the big thing. More than one night in a hotel and we'd be killing each other. Plus it would take two rooms for the whole family.

We love the kitchen as we don't all get hungry on the same schedule. It also makes it very easy to take along a small cooler every day to the parks with drinks and snacks. I love throwing in a load of laundry every day so I don't spend two whole days when we get home catching up.

Sheila

 

[GingerJay]

We have 3 little ones who run crazy and can probably aggravate close neighbors in a hotel/resort. So we like to stay offsite. Of course, the kitchen, privacy, and extra space make great selling points, too :0)

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Sounds nice twoboysnmygirl. How does the diamond pass work? Do you really get up close when parking? I know when we were done at the park the last thing we wanted to do was wonder around the parking lot looking for our van.

We took 2 coolers last time since we were traveling in the van and would want drinks and sandwiches and stuff. We did take cereal and milk and stuff like that so we didn't have to wait in line to eat at the resturants. We ate breakfast at the resort (pop century) one time I think on our "relaxing" day. As I said before, it was our first time, so we really didn't know what to expect. The food court really scared me when I first saw it and was glad to skip it every day for breakfast but we had a lot of lunches or dinner there and it really wasn't bad at all. Thanks for the info.

AAA Diamond pass is wonderful! You still have to PAY for parking since you are offsite, but there is a special colored line to follow and you just show them your pass and the parking is right next to the handicap parking. We didn't use a tram even once and I felt that getting to the parks was MUCH faster, even MK, than taking a bus from a resort. I will really miss the car situation and I believe after this onsite stay in 2010 we'll evaluate whether it was worth it not to have a car and fly.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Is there any other advantage to staying off site other than it is cheaper? The last time we were there we stayed at a value resort so we went everywhere on the bus. We all loved the fact that we didn't have to drive or find a spot to park more than anything. The room was kinda small really. My thinking was we were only there long enough to sleep so it didn't matter. If we stay off site next time that won't matter to me there either. We ate one meal at the hotel and usually one meal and snacks at the park (never reservation for character meal or anything). One time we ordered out and they delivered it to the hotel lobby. So based on our situation, is there any reason besides price to stay off site next time?

I would say with your type of vacation style stay on-site. The times I have stayed off-site was for a cheaper place as I wanted to see other parts of FL ie cocoa beach / Daytona/ etc. While off-site was a great value and more space it is not ideal for a Disney trip in my opinion. We found it difficult to make it to rope drop. The family was forced to stay together. We didn't use the oven/stove. We did use the huge fridge / microwave/ dishwasher so those were a plus. Fun factor was gone. No food court/ refillable mugs. Tho breakfast was free off-site so a big plus.

If you are looking for Disney fun stay on-site.

 

[avic77]

Stayed at Disney onsite first trip in 08 family of 5 in POR:
Pros: Dh got to park the car and forget it... which was probably his favorite part of the vacation
Pros: DDP not having to think about food and costs
Cons SMALL cramped room 1 bathroom
Cons: Cost of additional room to spread out
Con: tiny fridge no microwave /stove

Stayed ofsite for Universal in 09
Pros Room room and more room!
Pros cheaper for us
Pros free breakfast (even tho it was bagels and cereal)
Con driving to park and looking for parking / looking for car end of day
Con finding a place for dinner each night ( getting lost trying to find places)
Con: no magic... just a hotel with grumpy employees

in "10 we are doing onsite but in a FW cabin so we can have room to spread out and the no driving/DDP thing =) but if it wasnt for the 7/4 deal we couldnt.

I figured a condo (plus cleaning fees) parking gas food and compared to Onsite Disney and it wasnt much cheaper. DH said for that small differance he would rather someone else do all the driving around :rofl

 

[Brian Noble]

We found it difficult to make it to rope drop.

I've never found this to be difficult. Indeed, we leave at about the same time from offsite vs. onsite to make rope drop---but we always stay at one of the closer-in spots (e.g. Windsor Hills, etc.) No problems.

The family was forced to stay together.

I consider this a feature.

Even so, when we're staying offsite and want to split up, it's not too difficult to use Disney transportation internally, or just call a cab. We're saving so much money that the extra expense of 1-2 cab rides in a week just isn't a big deal. However, now that I think about it, the one time we took a cab we were staying onsite (we took a cab back to OKW from Illuminations, via the Beach Club, rather than walk to the front and wait for a bus.)

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I've never found this to be difficult. Indeed, we leave at about the same time from offsite vs. onsite to make rope drop---but we always stay at one of the closer-in spots (e.g. Windsor Hills, etc.) No problems.


I consider this a feature.

Even so, when we're staying offsite and want to split up, it's not too difficult to use Disney transportation internally, or just call a cab. We're saving so much money that the extra expense of 1-2 cab rides in a week just isn't a big deal. However, now that I think about it, the one time we took a cab we were staying onsite (we took a cab back to OKW from Illuminations, via the Beach Club, rather than walk to the front and wait for a bus.)

Stayting together would be easier if my kids were younger. I have a teen son and getting him up for rope drop when off-site so we could all leave together was tough. On-site works better for us when it comes to the parks as he can join us at 11:00am. A taxi would not have worked because it would have cost too much. We found the Contemporary works the best for touring but it does come with a price.

As I said it's not totally one way or another for us. But, for touring the parks I have found it is easier for us to do when on-site.

Our off-site vacations have been fantastic. If only I had more time off work and more money to keep testing the on-site vs off-site vacations!!!

 

[Coach81]

I have done both.. it is not even close in my opinion.. we will not stay offsite any more because it becomes a big DISADVANTAGE!

Parking fees, Parking lots, traffic, dining plan.. etc.. etc..

 

[Brian Noble]

A taxi would not have worked because it would have cost too much

I suppose. But, we spend so much less on an offsite condo vs. what a room at the Contemporary would cost that we could take a taxi twice a day, plus rent a car *and* pay for parking, and still spend less. Perhaps that's because we typically visit during Peak season, when the Disney resort rates are sky-high.

 

[englishteacha]

Since our only opportunity to go to WDW is during school vacation times, when prices are higher, it makes SO much sense for us to stay offsite. It would cost over $1300 just for a room at a value resort when we're going to WDW. We have a condo for just over $400 (including cleaning fee), found a rental car for $217 (hope it goes down), and even figuring in parking we're saving quite a bit. Plus we have 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, full kitchen, laundry, etc. in the condo. We like to eat offsite; Ponderosa for breakfast is a bargain, and we like Cracker Barrel for supper since there are none up here and the food is tasty and affordable. We eat some breakfasts at the condo, as well as snacks, and some in the parks.

A friend or two might be joining us for part of our vacation, so they will chip in towards the condo and the car, so it makes for even more savings all around.

Just did the math: our lodging, car, and parking is $702. 8 nights in a value resort is $1262, and my DH hates buses so he'd rather rent a car even if we're onsite. We're saving $560 by staying offsite.